Southern DHB

24/09/2014

The Southern DHB includes hospitals in Dunedin, Wakari (Dunedin), Invercargill and Queenstown. If you are having to arrange travel and accommodation before you are admitted to a hospital under this DHB, the National Travel Assistance programme may be able to assist.

Arranging accommodation

If you have an early operation time, you will need to arrange accommodation for the previous night. If you are bringing a support person, you will need to arrange accommodation for them. If you qualify for support and are staying in commercial accommodation such as a motel, hotel or hostel, the National Travel Assistance programme may be able to help.

In specific situations, the DHB can support accommodation for the family/whānau. These include:

Ronald McDonald Family Room – Southland Hospital
There are four short-stay rooms for the caregivers of critically ill children when it‘s imperative they remain just moments away from their hospitalised child. These beds are allocated in consultation with hospital staff and are given on a greatest needs basis. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Southland Hospital also provides a quiet space for families to relax and recharge just moments away from their hospitalised child.

Te Whare Whānau
The Māori Health Unit provides Te Whare Whānau (the Family Room) service. This is a short-term accommodation option (1-3 nights) available to your family/whānau members living outside the Invercargill boundary when you are receiving hospital care. In Dunedin, Te Whare Whānau provide accommodation for up to two whānau of critically ill patients. For enquiries to access Te Whare Whānau room, please ask the nursing staff looking after you to contact the unit or Security.

Organising transport to and from the hospital

There are a number of transport options available across the district to bring you to Dunedin Hospital.

If you live in Southland:

  • The St John Shuttle runs Monday to Friday between Dunedin and Invercargill. Phone 0800 103 046 to book

If you live in Central Otago:

  • The St John Shuttle runs Monday to Friday between Dunedin and Cromwell. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it travels via Milton; and on Tuesday and Thursday it travels via Palmerston. There are designated drop off points along the way. Phone 0800 785 276 to book

If you live in North Otago:

  • Coast Line Tours runs Monday to Friday from Oamaru. Phone 027 256 5651 to book.

If you are in the Dunedin area:

  • The Red Cross may be able to help with transport needs. Please talk with your GP about arranging a referral.

If you do not drive or have no one able to drive you and you meet the NTA criteria, NTA will fund transport on a public shuttle. You need to book this yourself and claim reimbursement from NTA. If you need assistance to pay for this please contact WINZ to see if they can help.